EU Gobbledegook

If anyone thinks that my studies are a breeze, and they wonder why I'm struggling to keep up with my law modules in particular, take a look at this example of a document from the European Union. I'm studying EU law this year. Here's proof that it's driving me bonkers!

EU NONSENSE UP FOR AWARD

An example of euro-gobbledegook has been accepted by the Plain English Campaign as a contender for one of the organisation's Golden Bull awards.

The offending article comes from a European Commission document entitled "EU Action Plan for Sustainable Forest Management".

One glance at the contents was enough to put the piece in contention for an award, and Plain English Campaign spokeswoman Ann Baslington-Davies said: "This is a truly horrible example of management jargon.

"There may be something of importance or interest hidden in all this nonsense but it's very well disguised."

The document states: "A participatory and collaborative approach to policy formulation and implementation is a pre-condition for good governance. There is a need to review and strengthen the consultation structures in forestry at Community and national level, in order to facilitate transparency in decision-making and a structured dialogue with all stakeholders.



"In providing a reference framework for forest-related policies, initiatives and actions, the EU Forestry Strategy has changed the way forest-related issues are discussed today. However, the changes in the policy context suggest that a more coherent and pro-active approach to governing the Union's forest resources is needed in the future.

"Such an approach should be based on a shared vision of the EU's forest sector and the challenges it faces at global, Community and national levels, and on a shared understanding of what forests and forestry can contribute to modern society. It should encompass a set of clear objectives that can provide a basis for regular monitoring and stocktaking, and bring together the thematic, horizontal and cross-sectoral policy initiatives at Community and national level in a structured framework to encourage better and more effective co-ordination and consultation, and promote the flow of information among the various actors concerned."

Ms Baslington-Davies said: "Our sympathies have to go to the poor translators who will have the difficult task of translating this into the 20 languages of the European Union. It makes little enough sense in English - I doubt it will read any better in another language."

Source: SkyNews.com